1452

1967. Italy. Argento Auteuil 106 E1/Nero PAC 1560. Black carpets. Body number probably 451. One of 5 (or maybe even 6) fire engines. CEA Number 19. Transformation was commissioned by CEA (company which produces fire extinguishers) for Carrozzeria Grazia, Bologna, most probably in late 1972 or early 1973. These fire tenders were used on Italian racecourses, for instance Monza Formula 1 from 1975 to 1978. All of them were based on second hand Quattroportes. 1452 was sold new by Sport Auto Roma (trading nowadays under the name Samocar) to Giuseppe Giorgio Samarughi, Roma, August 1967 (late series 2, note chrome strips on door cappings, as on series 2 1/2). Accidented prior to 1972, accident damage was reveiled during restoration. Sold to CEA probably in 1972. According to window stickers, the car was used at Imola and Varano race courses in 1973, according to later owner Michael Strasser it was used until 1976. Road registered in Italy (Bologna) BO 357982 already when it was in service. Probably all fire engines were road registered (see also registration number on 1296, fire engine #16: BO 543729). 1978 (?), together with the other four fire tenders (if there was a sixth, it was definitely scrapped after an accident in 1978, according to a CEA employee) sold (or given?) to a Junkyard (Valfredo Pellicciari, Via Emilia Ovest n. 6, 41013 Castelfranco Emilia (between Bologna and Modena) to be scrapped. But Pellicciari did not scrap them. Later (1987?) sold as part of all or most fire tenders most probably to a kind of consortium, consisting of collectors Michel Dovaz («Sleeping Beauties»), founder of French Alfa Romeo club Francis Fabulet and Guido Bartolomeo, Alfa Romeo specialist/collector. (French magazine Auto Retro, in February 1988, mentions a group of even 5 French enthusiasts). 1989 used /exposed/for sale at Coupe de l‘âge d‘or at Monthléry. 2004 for sale with Christoph Grohe, Switzerland. 2006 with Jean Guikas‘ GTC Marseilles. From 2011 under restoration by Michael Strasser in Germany. Summer 2013: After 1272 hours of work on the body, the car is off to being painted by Maserati in Modena. CEA was even able to provide a colour sample (just to show how much care goes into this painstaking restoration which will bring the car back to its original aspect in the time when it was transformed into a fire tender by Grazia). Estimated end of restoration: 2015. Estimated cost? Imagine! 2017: restoration is finished. One of the greatest achievements in the history of Maserati restorations (not only Quattroportes). Additional information March 2019: The car was exhibited temporarily at the Pantheon in Muttenz/Basel/Switzerland from November 2017 to April 2018. In December 2018 for sale at 442 500 USD negotiable. Here’s the sales text: Rare opportunity to acquire a contemporary witness of the Formula 1 history of the 70s. This vehicle with a special body made by Grazia from Bologna was built only 5 times and is now available for sale after 6 years of nut and bold (sic!) restoration. At that time still approved by the family Orsi (Orally confirmed by Dr. Adolfo Orsi) and therefore also an original Maserati. Certainly the only pickup of Maserati ever built. During the restoration, much emphasis was placed on preserving the original substance. Alone more than 1.272 hours were invested in the gentle restoration of the body. Of course, the vehicle is still equipped with the original engine, which was completely rebuilt and since the restoration has run only about 1,500km. Lacquered directly at Maserati (nitro paint) in Modena, on the old paint shops, as the last vehicle before Maserati moved to Turin. The interior was also made by the old Maserati workshop masters, who also made it in the 60s or learned from them. The engine is the well-known V8 with four overhead camshafts and 4136 cc. 260 HP at 5200 rpm. The 5-speed ZF transmission completes the package with the Girling Disc Brakes. The Borrani steel wheels are mounted without decorative cover (but are available and are included). The car was used from 1973 to 1976 on the well-known Italian racetracks. The history of the vehicle is completely traceable and is sold with the documents of Maserati (archive). Update summer 2019: For sale at Coys auction, Schloss Dyck, 3 August. Not sold. Update October 2020: still for sale by owner, now with address in Switzerland (price considerably lower). Update January 2024: New sales attempt, at Retromobile auction by Artcurial, no reserve, estimate considerably lower than first asking price of over 400 000 USD: 150 000 to 250 000 €. No bid (at 90 000). Not sold

Other fire trucks in this registry: 2184; 2210, 2290; and 1296.